Emphatic win for New Zealand in Schools Test

New Zealand has scorched to an emphatic 32-8 win over Australia in hot conditions in their International Secondary Schools Test match in Brisbane tonight (NZT).

New Zealand Schools 32 (Isaia Walker, Dalton Papalii, Asafo Aumua, Thomas Umaga-Jensen tries; Wiseguy Fainane 2 pen, 3 con) beat Australia Schools 8 (Ryan McCauley try; Harrison Goddard penalty). HT: 17-3.

New Zealand dominated Australia in almost all facets of the match, earning a well-deserved 4 tries to 1 victory. New Zealand showed far superior commitment up front and hustled Australia into numerous mistakes with their outstanding work in the breakdowns and with their midfield defence.

Several players produced strong individual performances, with try scorers Isaia Walker, Dalton Papalii and Asafo Aumua, along with prop Alex Fidow standouts in the forwards and first five-eighth Wiseguy Fainane in a matured display running the cutter.

For their part, the Australians were left lamenting their own errors and unforced turnovers. It was a bumbling performance by the home team.

New Zealand also won after losing midfielder and captain Peter Umaga-Jensen as a late withdrawal, forcing a re-jig to New Zealand’s backline prior to kick-off. Caleb Clarke, son of Eroni, came into the starting XV to partner Peter’s brother, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.

Thomas Umaga-Jensen was to score the match sealing try with several minutes remaining.

New Zealand held a deserved two tries to one, 17-3, lead at halftime.

After an early feeling out period, New Zealand put pressure on Australia with a series of kicks turned Australia around and tested out the Australians’ back three.

Establishing field position, New Zealand’s forwards rattled Australia’s with their committed play at the breakdowns and strong set-piece. The result was two first half tries, scored by lock Isaia Walker after sustained pressure and blindside flanker Dalton Papalii after a breakout and burst up the grandstand touchline by No. 8 Mekeaele Tu’u.

New Zealand created other first half opportunities as well, another kick behind Australia’s advantage line by Fainane was regathered by left wing Sevuloni Reece, who passed to fullback Josh McKay but the latter put a foot in touch. Prop Fidow also went close to crossing the chalk on another occasion after similar darts by hooker Aumua and lock Walker.

Fainane kicked both first half half conversions and added a penalty. He also missed a penalty from right in front that hit the poles and bounced back into play.

For Australia, halfback Harrison Goddard kicked a first half penalty, from just about their only foray up into New Zealand’s 22 and following some phase play by the forwards, led by No.8 and captain Reece Hewat.

New Zealand continued to hustle and bustle the Australians at lineout time and in the collision zone early in the second half.

This led to Fainane kicking a 35-metre penalty and extending the halftime lead to 20-3.

Hooker Aumua cut loose in broken play to score New Zealand’s third try and first of the second half, running on to a pass by Fidow and charging towards the corner flag. This made it 25-3 and Australia needed to score four times in a little over 20 minutes to win the Test.

Both sides made numerous changes off their reserves benches and Australia finally worked their way into the game. But more stifling defence saw New Zealand turn the ball over once more and turn defence into attack.

Left wing Reece climbed high and offloaded to Thomas Umaga-Jensen, who flew through to score the match winning try.

This was converted by Fainane, extending their lead to 32-3 with just a few minutes to play.

Australia scored a consolation try on fulltime.

In the other match today, the Australian Barbarians beat Samoan Schools 66-12, after leading 42-5 at halftime.